
Class fS ^S\^ 

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Niagara Twice Seen 

and Other Verse 



^i 



Edition limited to five hundred copies, printed on 
imported Esparto paper and Italian hand-made cover, 
type set by hand and redistributed, at the University 
Press of Sewanee Tennessee, 

This is copy No. .UCP 



Niagara Twice Seen 

and Other Verse 

by 4 7^ 

William Norman Guthrie 




The University Press of Scwanee 

The Robert Clarke Co. 
Cincinnati 



3^^'^^ 



.W'^ 



H 



^ 
^^' 



Copyright 1910 

by 

William Norman Guthrie 



©Gi,A275973 



<;i 



1 

i 



To the 

M.A. Graduates of 1891 

Sewanee 



Contents 

¥ 
NIAGARA TWICE SEEN - 

1. Pre/u^e. 

II. The Gorge. 

III. The Whirlpool. 

I V . Willow and Swift. 
V. The Storm . 

\\. The Maid of Niagara. 

VII. The Snnhurst. 

VWl. The Isla?id Safictuars. 

IX. The Song Sparrozv. 

X. The Upper Rapids. 

XI. The View from Afar. 

XII. Farewell. 



NEW SEWANEE VERSE — 

The Old Trysting Place. 

The Moonlit Cove. 

The Humming Bird. 

Apollo Beheld. 

Sezcancf Semi- Centennial Odr, i(^OJ. 

Lines in Honor of General Kirby-Smith. 

Alumni Memorial Ode^ rgog. 

A Lullal/y. 
Her Refusal. 

Maidenhood: A l^'ale/itine. 
U Envoi. 






Niagara Twice Seen 

¥ 
I. PRELUDE ^^' 



Once again, ha! these eyes behold 
thee, Niagara, young as of old: 

the thunderous uproar, the driving spray, 
more, ever more, for ever and aye. 

Ripple and whirl, pearl-bubble and ftake, 
enwreathe, unfurl, make, break, remake, 

and over the brink flash as they leap, 
ere link in link they sweep to the deep. 

Green glistery walls, gay rapids that comb, 
lacy spume-falls, swift geysers of foam — 

and, riding the mist, a beryl span, 
rose-amethyst, sun-protean ! -'^ ^ 

¥ 
O ages old, yet unbegun, 
O manifold, yet ever one. 



* Asterisks throughout this poem refer back to an analysis made at a friend's 
request for the benefit of such as like thought implicit in verse made explicit 
in prose. 



4io^ 



thou seemest the same all-glorious, 

but we who came — Ah, knowest thou us, 

who came to thee as lovers gay 
in jubilee of holiday? 

Alone, forlorn, I behold thee again, 

who laughest to scorn generations of men; 

and I yearn for the tide of folly and cheer: 
a world that is wide, a heaven that is near; 

unthinking delight, improvident faith 

that feareth no plight, and endureth no scath ! ^ ^ 

¥ 
Speak, when do we live? — When, blind to the skies, 
self-contemplative we philosophize? 

Or, piously drone tried formulae 
to save us alone through eternity? 

Or rather, when (high spirits in glee 
reckless again of *nhee'* and of **me**) 

the water's rout to the gaping abysm 

is our battle shout, and its spray our chrism? 

When its faith august in the blood of us boils, 
that we will what we must — herculean toils, — 

for, behold, we ca;i the thing that we will, 
though the fair hope of man elude us still? 



4 II ^ 



From afar, from afar we have come, and we go 
to some unknown star that we ask not to know; 

hurtling arrive in a serried host, 

with the fury alive of the Holy Ghost, 

to hallow, and purge, and perish! Ah, who 
shall hinder the surge of the deeds to do? * * 

¥ 
Alas, alas, for such folly of youth ! 
the years — they pass, till we blink at the truth. 

No battle is won. Old ills remain. 

No deed can be done — for at length we are sane! 

So, we prate of the slow vain cycles of time, 
irremediable woe, unavoidable crime, 

the treadmill round, dull patience and thrift. 

The secret once found? the lost glimpse through the rift? 

If a moment we snatch from the nightmare, and dare 
the lift of the latch and in vacancy stare, — 

we sigh for the gift to some one — not us — 
who the burden shall lift opprobrious! 

For who hopes — he errs: we are sane, and we walk 
slow pall-bearers in solemn, hushed talk 

acquiescent, no goal of wisdom ahead; 

in doubt of the soul, tho' of death no dread; 



4 12 ^ 



wise forgetters of God, we trudge without shame, 
mystery-shod, to no challenging aim ! ^ ^ 

Ha, what here am I who meditate? 
and self- pitying sigh at human fate? 

The stalwart strife— no feint or deceit- 
foiled onslaught on life, defiant retreat, 

the rally, the charge, the rout of the foe, 

the dwelling at large, and the generous glow, — 

be these not worth brief tenure of breath 
from adventurous birth to victorious death: 

So, once again, ha! these eyes do behold 
thee, Niagara, young as of old; 

and riding the roar a sunbow's span: — 
thy word evermore to the spirit of man ! 

¥ 

n. THE GORGE^^ 

After such leap of great faith, whither turn? Down the gorge 

lo, seething foam-hedged swirls, and mottlings gray-green; 

hollows and swells; whirled islands of mirroring sheen, — 

then tumultuous upheaval of mountains; escaped from the forge 

of the hells, yelling Titans with torture and fury demented, 

wrenched back bv invisible chains to Tartarean dooms; 



«J 13 ^ 



outbursts of spray in demoniac glee for dire unrepented 

rebellions; rolls, swishes and vast chaotical laughter booms? 

'Tis the gorge of Niagara below the exultant falls, 
in frenzy that 'wilders the brain and the soul appalls, 
surging to gaping depths, and upleaping in bacchanals ! * " 

Mystery! have we, too, so worn us the gorge and the chasm — 

a retreat to prenatal infancy, age by age, 

foot by foot, in passionate irrational rage? 
deepening the anguish with every seaward spasm? 
The glorious leap, the seething remorse of to-day it is 

forgotten lives of us wrought? and the inveterate urge 
(while the pure seas behind us break in innocent crystalline 

[gayeties ) 

for the salt seas ahead, there in confluent fullness to merge? 

'Tis the gorge of Niagara below the majestical falls! 
Vain the granite's resistance, vain th' encompassing walls, 
we surge to our gaping depths, and upheave in high 

[bacchanals! 

III. THE WHIRLPOOL^^^ 

What booteth insensate fury if self-unnerved: 

Foiled by precipitate onrush at fate, and defeated? 

For lo, the environing crags adamantine swerved 

from our sudden charge, and — calm, unresisting — retreated. 



4 I4» 



flinging us boulder frost-loosened, impending rock-shelf 
winter by winter; wherefore 
self-delaying and cloying and throttling for evermore 
our desperate might coils dragon=like round itself, 

si o\v= whirling no whither, self-captive in eddy huge about a 
choking with pitiful pelf. [stagnant core 

For the whirlpool hales about in a sluggish madness vain 

dead logs, uprooted trees, which it sucks to its bottom of ooze, 
and regurgitates, tossing their branches in strangling pain 

to drift once again on the dizzy, monotonous cruise. 
Vain blossom, vain leaf, vain nest through the grisly refluent pool 
in futile triumph we drag; 

the tawny flecks of spume in gruesome abandon lag; 
no outlet, no hope ! The exhausted rage of the fool 

who plays with himself in idiot glee a hugeous game of tag 
by vertiginous rote and rule ! ^ ^ 

Ha, so to have ever forgotten the ocean's roar 

in our silences heard, and the vision (in narrows beheld) 
of boundless vistas relucent, whither we bore 

irresistible: vast free waters whose flow, uncompelled 
of chance declivities, travels from pole to pole 
through tropic ardours at will,— 

(phosphorescent star- mirroring coral lagoons) from the thrill 
of the hurricane down through quietudes, glooms, to the goal 

of auroral dawns; or under ice-continents ever wind-still 
in the ocean of infinite soul ! ^ ^^ 



« 15 ^ 



Nay, perhaps we have fled from the awful moment too soon, 

from supreme achievement, the plunge into nothingness? Back 
once more, ere forward, through channels our fury hath hewn, 

we surrender us wholly! In spirit retrace our track! 
And, lo, twain clouds upstream from the fall either side 
the zenith, as fain to embrace 

for a final wrestle perchance, — or face to face 
holding us, bosom to bosom as bride-groom and bride, — 

ere onward we break forth forever! Back to the holy place 
of outpoured faith and pride ! 



IV. WILLOW AND SWIFT >{^" 

A Willow with young buds brown 

over -leaning the verge, 
drawn terribly down 

by the yawning gulf; the urge 

and throbbing wash of the surge 
that widens fissures and gaps, 
gnawing the rock in the knotting clutch 

of its serpentine desperate roots ! 

So fascinated, what boots 
resistance? Ere long at a touch 

of the air will it piteously lapse 

over the precipice 

to be swallowed with shriek and hiss. 



4i6^ 



But the Swifts, that fear not to drown, 
under the rainbow brim 

dive terribly down 

to the spewing waters, and skim 
the boiling horrors, the dim 
emerald gloamings of death I 

Then up and up in loops 
and sudden spurts of flight, 
defiant of spray, from height 

to height, till the blue sky stoops 

to meet them with sunny breath, 
hearkening their unheard notes 
of rapture from palpitant throats! 

Oh, with yon willow to feel 

life's close hold relax, — 
brain horribly reel 

as the waters mightier wax, 
still-stationed in failing tracks; 
and the end to anticipate 
(foreseeing the gorge, the dull swoon 
in the whirlpool, the lurch and swing 
into seaward currents) yea, fling 
leaves glistening in the high noon 
o'er the brink precipitate, 
at the glory of the year's young prime I 
That were nobly courageous, sublime. 



« 17 ||» 



But oh, to be winged and wee, 

glad-hearted to dive 
foolhardy for glee, 

committing one's soul alive 

to swell and swirl and drive, 
the fury and gUtter explore; 
and with pinions (one's very own!) 

shaken free of the weight 

and insolence of fate, 
the pounding deluge alone 
defying, mount and soar 

to altitudes pure, and deride 

the demon of suicide! 

¥ 
V. THE STORM * '' 

Vast arms have encompassed the fall: 

vague wings of horror close- drawn, 
the glooming green and the purple pall 

by the Hghtning ripped and sawn! 
And the steadfast roar with a crash 

is riven in equal twain 
silences awful; the gash — 

God's call to the hail and rain! 

The hail blends rapids and sky 
^nd forest and thunderous falls; 



«.8^ 



and the rain-spears launched ti-om on high 

assail the glassy walls 
of the cauldron, whose spouting sprays 

are driven to the bottom in rout, 
which a straight-hurl' d bolt sets ablaze: 

twain silences leap to one shout. 

The storm of the falls is lord, 

but the lord of the storm — he is here. 
For a Swift — like a flash of a sword 

of lightning in a glare that doth sear — 
drops, darts down the engulfing vast! 

Who so full of Thee to dare play 
(and I close mine eyes aghast) 

in Thy hells, light-spirited, gay? 



VI. THE MAID OF NIAGARA: AN INDIAN 
LEGEND ^^^ 

Falling waters roar their thunder 

(appalling voice of the Great Spirit) 
calling souls to awe and wonder, 

souls that dare draw near to hear it; 
shagg\' storm-gloom ripp'd asunder, 

lightning-spears of the Great Spirit! 



4 19 4> 



Yearly a plum'd brave launch' d his birchen 

swift canoe to the green abysses. 

Yearly a maiden without smirch, in 

blossom-robe, fled bridal kisses; 

fled the sunshine old men search in 

vain for youth's love-omened blisses! 

Once a great chief's heart waxed tender 

over his only child; yet, chosen, 

durst, impassive, naught to fend her; 

strode from council, he uprose in 

stolid, bent on love's surrender, — 

face as flint, proud spirit frozen. 

Grim the painted braves assemble, 

wizards, maidens, youths, old women. 
Gloaming woods wan clouds resemble, 

ghostly waters foam and brim in 
hissing swirls; still moon-beams tremble, 

shivered of silver pools they swim m. 

Scarce the vowed canoe had started 

paddled of the maid, arrayed in 

bridal raiment, ere out-darted 

from the dark a warrior-laden 

iwifter craft: 'tis the true-hearted 

father overtakes the maiden. 



4 20 ^ 



Dumb i' th' mirk by th' seething water 

horror doth the whole tribe tether. 

Forward cheers their chief his daughter, 

hailing the awful doom of death her 

grace and purity have brought her. 

Look, they leap the chasm together! 

Then a wave of savage woe did 

choke the tribe. Too cruel th' price is! 
Never by greed or terror goaded 

slain shall be such sacrifices; 
spite of woe of yore foreboded, 

gift of flower and fruit suffices! 

Ever the waters pour their thunder — 

vasty deep of the Great Spirit! 

Fierce foam-billows and mists thereunder 
shout and revel and career it! 

Ever the soul in awe and wonder 

yields her best to the Great Spirit. 

VII. THE SUNBURST ^^* 

Glorious the storm, but more glorious 

the downfall of penetrant rays 
from the noonday sun, victorious 

over scurrying clouds ablaze. 



^ 2L ^ 



Incessant the turmoil uproarious 
outpoureth its radiant haze. 

Ecstatic with fife and'tambor 

in the roar mad bacchants throw 

the thyrsis, outflare and clamber 
(foam-demons) through th' hyaline glow, 

while amethyst, ruby and amber 
over-arch in a heaven-wide bow. 

O font of the spirit to purge in 
soilure of vision, and behold,- — 

verily the heart is yet virgin, 
the earth yet young as of old! 

Intimations bud and burgeon, 
vague wistful hopes unfold. 

New marvels new faith engender! 

Gainsaid, doth the heart misgive? 
Yet the soul could never surrender 

her diviner prerogative: — 
and lo, in fragrance and splendor 

youth's dead ideals re-live! 

Vfl. THE ISLAND SANCTUARY*" 

Too keen the gladness. In golden splashes 
shine the streets, and the jubilant throng 
crowd park and parapet along. 



4 22 1^ 



Chrysoprase, garnet and sapphire flashes 
drop from the avenue's glistening branches. 
Oh, with Her to be hence alone 
in yonder isle, the forest hath thrown 
where panic the speeding tumult blanches ! * ^® 

Through tulip- trees, beeches, and maples yellow 

slanteth and sifteth the light from the vault; 

boughs uplifted — the spirit exalt, 
boughs interknit, true fellow by fellow, 
alder and poplar, — a shimmering column 

each of the fane; and the underbrush 

thickly bow in the moveless hush: 
a reverent folk in orison solemn. 

Thick by the pathway heartsease and chickwced 
wink their starlets; specks of joy 
dancing, the gnats their swarm deploy. 

Hark, the thrush with his challenge liquid 

of vivid delight to the green-wood island's 
abysmal mellow environing roar: 
his four quick melodies o'er and o'er 

purl and hallow the sheen and silence. * *' 

Here to linger! Ah, wherefore forward 
press to wierd borders (the willows guard 
vine-tumbled with blossomy woodbine star'd) 

where leap in vain white sprites to shoreward, 



<? 23 ^ 



(desperate pursurers, passionate embracers) 
for sumac and elder with pomp of bloom 
wave them off to their unknown doom, 

astride their foam-flecked combing racers. 

Who would choose to abandon the quiet 

here of phantasy's hallowed place? 

turn from the brooding glory and grace? 
front the multitudinous riot 
of panic and greed, the soul unheeded? 

Woe unto us! No leisure to pause, 

onward driven without faith or cause, 
save dread of shame should our pace be out-speeded! 

IX. THE SONG SPARROW*" 

Ha, in the rapids yonder? 

an islet wee! 
A parable worthy to ponder 

for you and for me. 

An ash, two trembling birches, 

a hemlock, brush, weeds: 
for a song-sparrow plentiful perches, 

food-berries and seeds. 

Narrow inlet where two elopers 
may spatter and prank, 



4 24 ^ 



and tipple, (delicate topers!) 
one drop and give thank. 

Her nest, in their tiny fastness, 

broodeth his mate, 
while he dareth a thrill in the vastness 

early and late:— 

*'0 pitiful desponder, 

grown bitter, grown old, 
from life and love absconder, 
hehold! behold! 

^*No wanton or prying intruders 
on stalking legs 
disturb two busy brooders 
of fivQ speckled eggs. 

'*No hawk, no scolding squirrel us 
threaten, or beguile. 
The envious, frivolous, scurrilous 
banished our isle I ' ' 

And resolute warbles he, flinging 

a scarce-heard trill, 
or flutters to his comrade bringing 

tidbits in his bill. 

O blessed wee song-sparrow, 
from marshes wind-mown 



4^5^ 



with thy ruffled bead-eyed marrow 
to your islet flown, 

in the tumult adventuring yonder 

to establish thy peace: 
a miracle worthy to ponder, 

to ponder and bless! 



X. THE UPPER RAPIDS*'*^ 

Up the rapids, the last bleak outpost of granite, 

ever wet, scanty -mossed, black, gnawn, 
hissing and gurgling in fissures, — how can it 

forever withstand, thus grimly updrawn? 
The pound of torrential masses convulses 

with hysterical laughter, and the lone rock 
vibrates incessant, and, rhythmical, pulses 

as the rapids part from the shock. 

A hardy fern, a yarrow aromatic 

closely clutch their footing scant; 
vine-bowers overbear with a reach spasmatic 

the strangled trees, and pant 
for a swish of the ebullient waves that beleager 

their crag with voluble strife, 
swerve past unsurprised, undefeated, uneagcr, 

ever ready for death or life.* ^^ 



4 26^ 



The breakers redden to blood, lurid, dismal 

from out of the purple-black wall of sky 
down-deluging resolute to th' mystery abysmal, 

their white arms waving a phrensied good-bye. 
On the dun wall of waters in infinite number 

appallingly glideth a savage green-gray, 
and lapseth in plentitude awful to umber 

glooms, without hesitant doubt or dismay. 

Let the race then of water-sprites scud past and chide us 

for holding the bleak rock fast under foot, 
and engulfed in the gloaming, fiercely deride us 

who in self-hood perforce have our confidence put! 
* 'Death hail we," cry they, "m rush suicidal, 

for more, ever more of us, lo, we make room, 
other than we be! Then forth to our bridal 

haste we, for ever they come and they come!" * '^ 

I gazed — time abolished — I gazed unconscious, 

and, chilled, awoke on the scene to stare. 
Wierd power that in dream-sped vessel can launch us 

to float o'er wan mystical seas unaware! 
Now night the spectacle chastly suiFuseth 

with silvery shimmer from moon-hazed sky, 
but only more awful to whoso museth 

the mystery of infinite fresh supply ! * ^* 

For us twain who shall read the dubious omen I 
Yearnings, delight, bewilderment, scorn. 



4 27 ^ 



effulgent sunburst, devotion at home in 
the island forest where gay motes swarm, 

trills of courage in love's sweet durance 
with none to hear but the loved one nigh, 

moon silvery calm, starry quiet assurance 
of unexhausted divine Supply? 



XI. THE VIEW FROM AFAR*^*^ 

From this far solitary steep, farewell, 

Niagara! Over thy glory is drawn 
a veil, and in th' horizon merged is thy dominant spell, 

still felt in the blood. When shall there dawn 
a day of thine for Me? Yet what is man 

to thee, who notest not the constant splendors of these - 
Antares, Arcturus, Vega, Aldebaran, 

nor the faint spiritual Pleides? 

Yon blessed stars forever abide and flash, 

yet deign they even to follow in fellowship 
and stoop to man; ay, quelling his rages rash, 

consoling wells of freshness to th' parch' d lip, 
cool to the soul; quickening with quietude 

in rarifjed air of peak, in far-spread waste, 
down clefts of cities, none may Them elude; 

but thou, though aloof, no less the spirit upstay'st.* ** 



^28^ 



Farewell. In the calm of distance thy terrible boom 

ferocious to a whisper lowered, great peace 
doth hallow thee, though thou intone thy chaunt of doom 

awaiting no return. But shalt thou cease 
to haunt, for that thou followest not? This one, 

Niagara, of thy days in the immortal deep of me 
liveth. In whate'r the soul shall do and leave undone, 

thou shalt unheard, invisible, ever be! 



XII. FAREWELL*" 

Never may I behold thee again with the eyes of the flesh, 

for by little and little draweth inexorable fate 
closer her net of the days the soul to enmesh. 

But when, years agone. She and I, inebriate 
with the wine of our joy, beheld thee together — Ah, 
foreknew then either this day of good omen, Niagara? 

Thou hast more than kept faith; yea, kept that day of the twain 
for us both. Keep, keep for Her and for me this also, that so 

whatever thereof in mystical depths shall remain 
inexpressible faith, consolation for selfish woe, 

may utter itself for us, to ravished awe and wonder, 

in thy sweeping emerald flash, and broad reverberant thunder:* ** 

Vision, to behold through Her what passeth desert; 
humility, that which exalteth, and humbleth therefore. 



4 29 {!► 



to desire: and loyal belief, that not ours thou wert, 

so great a grandeur and glory, if undestined to more; 
beholding God in the valiant and true of each other, also 
trust Him for all our debt, the craven in us and false owe ! * ** 

More still: — the larger courage a myriad lives 
to live, well wotting life's ungentle deceits, 

the wanton change, or the chance that bereaves or rives 
the heart of the brave, and the victor at last defeats; 

not to die for love's sake — but the godlier courage rather 

to live forever, and call thy awful spirit — Our Father! 






ANALYSIS OF NIAGARA TWICE SEEN 

* ^ Visiting Niagara alone, the happy vision enjoyed years ago startles the be- 
holder, and the intervening story of lifers chances and changes is for the 
moment forgotten. 

* ^ But, realizing, in a little, the awful changelessness of the great spectacle 
before him, lost youth is looked back to with longing, for its creative spirit 
rather than for its singular joys. 

* ^ Always the true life of the beholder is lived in self-oblivious will and deed, 
rather than in sentiment and abstruse speculation. The mad race of the 
upper rapids becomes a thrilling symbol of such true life. 

* * Mindful, however, of the hideous havoc wrought by the self-critical and 
agnostic spirit of advancing years, with vain pretences at wisdom and virtuous 
resignation. 

* * The soul cries out for the old spirit of do and dare, of reckless self-oblation 
to impractical tasks and foolish enthusiasms, figured by the rushing waters of 
Niagara, which dash with laughter to the awful leap of fate ahead. 

* ^ Below the fails and the vast seething cauldron, we are hurried on with the 
tumult of the gorge. The heaving and break iug waters suggest fearfully our 
futile outlived rages against fact and fate. 

* ^ When an astonishing doubt assails the soul : that all such waste of passion 
and creative power were perhaps of our own unconscious causing; that our 
doom perhaps proceeded of our self-predestinating rage and unreason, whereby 
we became deaf to inner admonition and blind to spiritual vision. 

* ® The rock-enclosed whirlpool appears now a manifest horror; for likewise by 
the soul's stubborness and wilful fury is hollowed out our arrest, disaster and 
confusion: our very success imprisoning the spirit in routine, self-complacence 
and tedium. 

*^ Youth's eternal beyonds of joyful activity and infiniie variety of experience, 
conceived as the course of the land-bound torrents, which have become at length 
free currents within the ocean deep. 



«?3« «» 



* '^ Let U8 retrace our way to find the reason of our discontent, back to the 
crisis of our youth, when we courageously made the great decisions, or fool- 
hardily Hung ourselves into the onsweeping rush of the times. 

* ** In all abandonments to circumstance and environment lurks the impulse to 
self-destruction; in all decisions is declared the creative fiat. Although, both may 
seem to involve the same fanatical courage, recklessness of self, and magnificent 
frenzy, only the latter, the decisions, are instinct with the divine Word. 

* 12 Nevertheless, sublimcr always than our most sensational leaps of faith or of 
despair, is the environing Will to order and quiet, revealed in the warring forces 
without; he is the in-dwelling dauntless Initiative mystically alive and aware at 
the core of us: the divine Self of the least significant of human selves. 

^ ^' Great and magnificent were all those frantic forms of self-sacrifice practiced 
in the childhood of the human race; yet the truest worship of the gods appears 
not in grimly dying, but rather in mightily living for the Ideal. 

* ** After the terrible crisis, however savage and superstitious the spirit's divine 
will to self-annihilation, ensues a gratitude, that the ideal life of us got its ex- 
pression through it; promising better, subtler forms, although essentially the 
same, in times to come. 

* ^^ Happiness for long among the instinctively happy, irks the awakened 
boul. It requires a quieter, holier joy, islanded somehow in the very midst of 
the anguish of the human race, its recluse silence haunted by subdued echoes 
of the incessant outer struggle; for a truce has become our only honorable 
peace. 

* ** Such an idylic solitary retreat is providentially prepared for the individual 
loul after its crisis ; that it may be glad in a foretaste of the larger life with God, 
of unutterable sweetness and still content. 

**^But the hazards and iniquities of the world's struggle renew their lure 
for the modern Soul. Though it seem but reasonless competition, somehow 
the cry of the fierce waters will have us envisage once again the meaning of 
that self-annihilation in which the Soul seems to attain unto its highest satisfaction. 

* ^® In the midst of the great world-forces the Soul of man is granted one 
other innocent solace, — implying courage and yielding gladness: a more enduring 



4 32 ^ 



foretaste of the larger life in God, because social, and not for the Soul't 
private delectation. 

* ^* Lo, the frightful contrast of the inexhaustible elemental energies which 
our world-tasks unpityingly demand, and our pitiful limited being, rooted to 
particular temperament, talent, opportunity! 

* 20 With the failing day, we fail : but the elemental energies can fail nor : 
nay, rather in the deepening gloom they seem but to wax mightier: eternal 
supply in response to infinite demand. 

* ^^ The soul faints for awe and bewilderment, but recovers to behold a 
wondrous transfiguration of the former horror into a sacramental Mystery of 
unspeakable loveliness. 

*^ Has from the whole parable (of the individual's struggle to be true to his 
ideals, and achieve none the less the hard tasks assigned him in the world) no 
new sweet wisdom been won for the understanding of love? 

* 2^ Niagara remains, in its own peculiar setting, symbolic of unique or rarely 
recoverable experiences} while the stars follow us in a frequent fellowship, 
sacrosanct and friendly, signifying the daily and therefore unnoticed hallowings 
and satisfactions. 

*'* Nevertheless in a spiritual sense, Niagara (the terrific crisis, once for all, 
or recurrent) remains with us in the very fashion and substance of the Soul. 

■* ^^ Niagara (seen once as a mutual joy, again as a lonesome bereavement and 
self-searching) shall in the memory of its sublime and terrible beaut)' yield 
the soul an utterance for its unspoken tragedies. 

*2®And love shall learn a worship of the divine, through consecrated weak- 
ness and noble failure, rather than through unspiritual energy and achievement. 

*2' Ay, from the remembered spectacle with its manifold revelations, shall 
be won what for thinking spirits constitutes the sublimest courage: — aware 
of all that is evil and false in life, the Will, nevertheless, for the same love's 
sake, that this very life be forever and ever, again and again! 



New Sewanee Verse 



«SIb? .ift? 'A^ 4^ "4^ '^ 

New Sewanee Verse 

¥ 
THE OLD TRYSTING PLACE 

L 

A Clearing 1 know where the marguerites grow, 
few did of old yon pathway go; 
by a brier-thatch' d well, where a cabin once stood, 
'mid a wall of clustering chestnut wood 
sweet-scented with sassafras; 
there surely demurely a lad with his lass 
might loiter along through the knee-deep grass, 
(remote from gossips' prying and hearing), 
and cull them the daisies, they praise as rhey pass 
to the farther side of the clearing! 

11. 
Yea, the path doth wind through hollows blind 
where gadding sweethearts — time out of mind — 
had sought them arbutus in fellowship boon, 
picked purple asters of harvest moon, 
plucked scepters of golden-rod! 
High treason, this season (when marguerites nod 
their star-bright myriad), to leav^e untrod 
that path, and the lonesome clearing: 
through foam'd seas of grasses Love passes dry-shod, 
howsoever the breeze may be veering! 



«36i» 



III. 

Ha, archly she laugh' d as she plied her craft, 
driving her lover for love of her daft:— 
'*It were well, good my lord, ere the dawn of the day 
to watch me the fairies at winsome play, 
in gossamer hammocks for you 
there swinging, and singing, a-twinkle with dew! 
Go forth, then, and fetch me of marguerites a few 
at the daw^n in the haunted clearing! 
So I bid thee with sorrow till th* morrow adieu; 
Heaven speed thine adventure God-fearing!" 

IV. 

To such kernel, what husk! For, a-chill in the dusk, 

through underbrush dense must he wetly him busk, 

and sour=wood and laurel and dogwood bless 

when they fHrt in his face, nor the greenbriers less 

that prickle either eager hand! 

Ah, who will be cruel, that understand 

her iniquity grievous, thus lightly planned? 

And, send to such far-away clearing 

her valarous knight? Enlighten her, and — 

Heaven save us from such-like endearing! 

V. 

Lo, a breath like a veil doth the clearing exhale 

in the waning moonlight moony-pale? 

As a hoar-frost light doth the dew lie thick? 



4 37 i> 



Hark^ a chirrup, a twittery trill and quick? 
'Tis the wren. Then, a warbled flush? 
And a flutter of guttural sweet in the hush? 
The tanager follows the woodland thrush, 
with magic that thrilleth the clearing! 
Ho, the redbird's Oh, so virtuoso-like gush, 
Voluptuous, wistful, yet cheering? 

VI. 

And ere he was 'ware, the slim marguerites fair 
with velvet eyen's unwinking stare, 
to a drowsyhead strange did the lover compel, 
who did gather and gather nor wist what befell, 
till together he heard them to say: — 
**Oh, break us and take us, the gladsome and gay, 
to her that is Queen of us; yea, waylay 
her spirit with Love's perserving! 
Dew-pearls on each petal do settle and sway, 
her tremulous beauty ensphering." 

VII. 

They beckoned him all, and with voices small 
his brooding spirit were fain to enthrall: — 
*'ln her dream we can elvishly flit from afar 
to hold there May-revel, and leave thee ajar 
white wings, for thee, spying, to ken 
rcpleteness of sweetness (shrill cheer of the wren 
t purity fluty (thrush- warble) ay, and then 



«38i» 



thy shy redbird (Love's hallows revering), 

coy wood-doves' crooned cooing and wooing in glen, 

and the silver dew-mists of our clearing; 

VIII. 

for they dwell in Her soul, and do graciously dole 
high alms of grace to make thee whole. 
O lover belov'd, recline on the bank, 
and for aye shall we win of thee heart-whole thank; 
for thy dream — it shall blend with her own!" 
Then down did (unsounded the deep, far flown 
his spirit) the lover on the soft grass prone 
5ink, — and forget, in the sun-flushed clearing, 
her deserving, his weakness; her meekness alone, 
and his hope Love's altar uprearing. 



*<Fare ye well, and good-bye," the marguerites sigh, 
''would all might along to adore her and die. 
In Her honor our velvety sheen we donned, 
and gossamer glisters from frond-frill to frond. 
Lo, we make thee obeisance." Blown 
of the pixy-like tricksy airs, unbeknown 
they're at play with butterfly, beetle and drone, 
and the truant work-bees of the clearing; 
while all the way too (for delay to atone) 
his brain went careering, sonneteering! 



«? 39 ^ 



XI. 

Ah, marguerites dear, it is many a year 

that so ye spake, and his ear did hear. 

And, methinks, she too doth remember and yetm 

for the spell of that dawning day to return. 

Who, woe's me, for the past shall wait? 

But the daisies? There grazes the cattle; and straight 

cuts a red-clay road, like a gash of fate; 

the tree- walla hewn! Still, fay-eyen are peering: 

yea, the dew on white petals, see, settles in state — 

pure radiance — where once was our clearing! 



THE MOONLIT COVE: FROM NATURAL 
BRIDGE 

I. 

Still, white Cloud, in the deep-clov'n valley laid! 
still moonshine, mystically a-dream thereon! 
Seated aloft a span of rock, and stayed 
by a sheer ledge. Twain hover o*er the tops of trees 
that mass them in vague gloom to ghostly seas 
unnavigable; whence, ever and anon, 
white ncreids, clapping foamy hands, emerge — 
(tome bough, breeze-lifted to the light?)— then cleave the 

[rustling surge. 



4 40 !► 



n. 

O cloud adown the deep cove lying stiii, 
O 8oft pure pillow of divine repose,— 
thy magic wrought, voluptuous yet chUl, 
so neither lover spake for dear constraint, 
fearing their breath, with too great gladness faint. 
The forest- sea, heaving, murmureth. . . Love knovvi 
what mysteries to their spirit's ear avowed, 
and far below the >kyline dim floateth the itill white Cloud. 

IIJ. 

Embosomed deep, O Cloud I mind me well 
'twixt mountains gleaming, wooer unto reit, 
what wordless irresistible strange spell, -^^ 
how thrilling more than all sweet sound ! And He . . : 
his brow laid on her shoulder wistfully; 
but She . . ? gliding into his arms, the still Cloud blesa'd, 
and the enfolding heights, with eyes joy-dimmed . . . 
while to the stars, for silver hush, the deep cove overbrimmed. 



APOLLO BEHELD 

Loud the full brook roared through the laurel cove; 
down heights, precipitate in blitheful rush, 
the acacias press and peer, and rear their lush 

quick green, with argent shimmer interwove, 



44* ^ 



(lace-roof, wherethrough white cloud with blue iky strove ) , 
to gladden and dazzle the dream-happy hush, 
made amorous rapture by a wood-note's gush, 

while valiant arms the pool's swirled coolness clove! 

Aloft the moss-bound rock-ledge, rivulet-fringed, 
behold the Youth of godhood unaware 

( face, hands uplifted, sun-bronzed body tinged 
with ardors golden-green), Lord of the glen 
one radiant moment! Ah, Apollo, when 

wast thou revealed of old, more pure and fair? 

THE HUMMING-BIRD 

Life-giving Earth, how good to live for aye 

low in thy lap voluptuously adrowse! 

The soft, clear blue (between the shimmer of boughs 
enlarging, narrowing), laughs at happy play. 
Green shadows' hither-thither half betray 

flittings of vireos shy who nearby house. 

Quick starry dots through shade and shine carouse 
in insect glee their brief eternal day. 

Love, shall we waken from the dreamy bliss, 
of Eden.^ Wantonly the sweet spell break? 

Yet, see, above us poised, what emerald flash — 
what ruby splendor? And the blossoms shake 
for rapture of their wooer, wisely rash? 
Shall we likewise. , , } What else shall we but — kissf 



4 42 {|» 



SEWANEE SEMI-CENTENxNIAL ODE, 1907 

I. 

In spirit this springtide unco Thee, 

of diverse age, and many a clime 

(though chiefly of the South, our Mother, bred) 

we made our loyal pilgrimage, 

Sewanee, who now hail thee with our dutcou* rime. 

¥ 

Still thy high levels, like a blessed hand 

of th' ancient mountain range, 

(whose youth, abiding, knowech not mortal change) 

in benedicdon vast outspread 

where, basking in the sun, the plams expand 

of the silver Tennessee. 

¥ 
On some dear woodway, pensive ay and slow, 
we wandered forth to meet our ghostly selves, 
hold parley with the absent and the dead, — 
when, sudden, from behind a screen 
of twinkling leafy sheen, 
invisible tricksy elves 
pelt us with up-thrust handful* of the laurel inow! 

Wherefore, surprised into a happier mood, 
(self-doubt dismissed, and vain regret) 



«? 43 ^ 



wc wend thy upland slopes along, 
and, that we ever left thee, half forget. 
The glistening oaks and chestnuts brood 
each over his violet shadow-isle 
in the golden sea of dazzle. With what wile 
do waftures honey-sweet, bee-murmurs gay 
waylay us thy azalea shrubs among, 
in radiant bridal array! 

Ravished with eager gladness, we explore 

thy woody steep again and flowery glade, 

and the green nooks invade 

light-footed, or some rocky fastness scale. 

No sraider wont or wisdom shall avail 

to chide us, happy-hearted boys once more 

in Arcady! And from oblivion, to our aid, 

upspringeth as a bubbling well 

within our mind a magical pure spell 

of Sapphic or Horatian verse, 

which, ere we wot, delighted lips rehearse, 

yea, lilt responsive to a whistled call 

or a blithe warble! All, Scwanee, all 

the enchantment, the delight, the exorcism 

of sordidness and sorrow — thine; the chrism 

some naiad shy 

with crystalline spray 

bedewing the passerby, — 



4 44 if 



thine; and thine too the rapturous dismay- 
breathing intoxicant air of myth and old romance. 
Now visitants seem to beckon and detain us 
with god-like port Hellenic, open glance, 
and frank arch smile; 

now Viking ardors clutch the leaping heart 
o*er Northern seas to fare 
(the starry heaven our chart) 
deeds hazardous and terrible to dare — 
a Berserk madness, and a savage guile. 
And now, the woodway left, 
what lightsome shift of mood? 
Quite gone the whilom barbarous hardihood, 
dreamily we refrain us 
and fling us down full length, of wit bereft, 
in the dense hiding of an ample hollow 
amid the Johnny -jump-ups, purple-eyed; 
and shouts on shouts each other follow 
till th* rous'd echoes fling them pell-mell after! 
For, the mere riotous sense 
of life sufficeth, the wild expense 
of reasonless joy, and the deep plains sky-wide 
glimpsed from the dizzy edge; and the creek's swollen roar 
that leapeth forth with flash of glee 
through blooming thickets, confident 
of depths and distance, and his store 
of cool and purity unspent, 
wherewith besprent 



1^45 i» 



the nearby rocks and bushes drip. 

Not we, not we alone 

shouting for jubilee, 

t-thrill with the unknown: 

Echo and Naiad be of our wild fellowship! 

II. 

But half a hundred years have sped 

since (even as we who hither throng 

in spirit) Thou thyself wast still a dream 

of dreamers — yea, a dream whereto there led 

no pass by the unspiritual eye discerned; 

yet they who dreamed thee, thwarters were of wrong, 

and furtherers of right; whose hot hearts burned 

for native land, its folk and speech; nor aught 

did ever too arduous deem 

if 8o their dream's fulfillment might be wrought.* 



And therefore, lo, Thou standest nobly hewn, most fair, 

on thine own rock-foundation reared 

magnificent in primitive steadfastness; 

nowise barbaric (for all thy mountain air, 

and scent of the nigh forest wilderness) 

unless it hide in thy sweet-syllabled name 



*Sewanee wai projected in ^11 view of Totber Mountain at Beenheba, 
Teooeties. 



i| 46 ^ 



"Sewanee!*' Triply blest, of liberal thought 
the home, the playground of creative will; 
so dreamed of Them who sought 
no selfish gain in thee, or worldly fame; 
content through love of beauty to instill 
courage and goodness, and the mystic thrill 
of true devotion. For pure, strong, They feared 
in truth and beauty for the soul no ill, — 
manly and gracious, godly men and sane! 
So, unborn dreamers of the South should fare 
to thee like Them, not seeking fame or gain, 
but rather filial reverence for the past — 
courage devout never to shrink aghast 
in the hour of evil and listlessly despair 
of virtue, but our little good hold fast 
(in fellowship it may be, else alone) 
cheered by the Vision afar off 
of nobler days, for which to strive amain 
against the maudlin moan 
and cynic scoff, 
with virile hand and heart and godly brain! 

¥ 

Potent, Sewanee, (though a wild dream thou wert 
to most), for dreamed wast Thou by valorous sons 
of the chivalric South. Hence, deadly hurt 
Thou tookest not, when cruel Fate 
swept Then- proud land and left it desolate. 



4 47 if 



Lost was the Cause, and arait thy champions? 

Yet, militant souls, stalwartly as they fought 

for conscience (from the gory field 

returned) in love of thee, a vision, wrought — 

till on thy mount of peace their wounds were healed. 

So, from the fratricidal strife 

thou. Dream twice dreamed, at length 

didst rise — a triumph in men's waking life — 

strength in thy beauty, beauty in thy strength. 

And thus, we dreamers also, mindful still 

of all the glorious cost 

in love and labor, hail Thee! Thou who wast 

too long a hope deferred (too fair, too high 

to be laid low in ruin, and buried lie) 

«rt still ft Hope, thy sons must pledge them to fulfill! 

IIL 

Time was, mayhap (though hard it be to own 

this day such folly !) when for insolent jubilee, 

of depth and distance madly confident, 

i-thrill with the vast unknown, 

shouting our way through rock and thicket we went, 

of thy control at last, and beauty's, free! 

¥ 
•'Forest to fell, new wastes to till, 
and deeps to delve for coal and ore, 
wherewith to fling in brute self- will 



<?48i» 



exultant Babels skyward! Demons of sicam 
and lightning, manacled, should rest no more 
by day or night — man's whim supreme! 
Yea, all that is mere thought 
for truth's and beauty's sake sublime, 
all that alone with happy feeling fraught 
doth boast no usurous end, — 
henceforth ajudged a shame, a crime! 
All to the yoke of Use and Pride must bend. 
What voice of the great dead shall the greater living heed? 
'Tis we alone destroy, 'tis we renew; 
who, lords of law, and alterers of creed, 
dike the world and soul subdue; 
and reck of the doing and the deed 
by no God's will, nor goodly mced,--^ 
but by our satisfied 
heart's pride 
and greed ! ' ' 

If ever so for a brief season 

our faith, disloyal, we foresw^ore; 

guilty of supercilious treason 

to Thee, w^ho seem.edst from the spirit aloof 

of modern days, too fondly obsolete; 

repented have we with contrition sore! 

Shrive us, we pray, as doth to Thee seem meet. 

Too well have we made proof 



4 49 ^ 



of the false wisdom that is shame and curse. 

And most this day. We love Thee, for that ever 

thou' St dared be obsolete; the seer's rapt mind, 

childlike and simple-hearted, 

still pressing forward in ideal endeavor, 

to walk, and talk 

with the glorious ghosts of our kind, 

and cherish their greatness departed! 

IV. 

Oh, graciously hast Thou our spirits shriven, 

Sewance. For we, thine own sons, now are given 

anew in thee, as even of old, 

with wonder and heart-searchings to behold 

thy strict betrothal of the Ancient Lore 

(man's record of hopes high-souled, 

his divination and his fiat divine 

which HellaB as Apollo did adore, 

and the holy Muses nine) 

in bonds of love 

unto the fierce New Lore of ordered fact 

(by persevering quest 

and stoic mastery compact, 

which will not fear the worst or hope the best). 

Yea, were not ever those Twain 

(the Lore unhuman, and the Lore humane) 

by Fate primordially and Wisdom plighted J 



4 so ^ 



For each hath need of each, 

if man shall to his fullest stature reach, 

his senses hallowed, and his spirit righted. 

How should the knowledge serve 

of what man was and is, if man shall swerve 

from trust in his own right? nor fashion and iway 

what so he find, to meet 

his godlier want? yea, and — in faith — complete 

with a prophetic Morrow his To-day? 

So hast thou won us to look forth — and know; 

to hearken back, look inward — and, believe; 

nor idly fable and falsify, 

but (well resolved to //W ere yet we die), 

on things unlovely our loveliness bestow, 

and God and God's ideal world for man — achieve! 



V. 



Fear not, Sevvanee, then, though scatterd abroad 

our people be through a land for thee too vast. 

Be not by magnitude and might o' era wed, 

by littleness and poverty downcast. 

Shrink not from thine whole office to the South. 

Through Her is th' service rendered North and West; 

be only the Word of thy heart the word in thy mouth, 

and thy word shall prosper, and many abide thy behest. 

And more and better shall rally about thy Name, 

and dream and work thee forth to the latter end thereof. 



«|5' if 



And, if poor thou be or rich, if many or few — the same 
of thy sons thy reward shall be: their passionate love! 



For, well they remember the lore thou taughtest them well, 
who drewest them gently yet firmly aside from the sordid and base, 
to th' inmost Holy of Holies where none may buy or sell, 
having beholden and worshipped the Soul's glory face to face. 



LINES IN HONOR OF 
GENERAL EDMUND KIRBY-SMITH* 

A massive steed with flying mane, and hoofs 

earth-shaking; stalwart, in his seat eredl 

a figure venerable, the snow-white beard 

bannering to right and left in the keen wind; 

so doth he still career in memory, 

a smile upon his kindly lips, a flash 

of resolution in his kindled eyes. 

Ah, many a time we hear him gallop past 

(who knew him) into th' night; or watch him here 

gaze solitary, fellow of th' roaring pines, 

across the sun-brimmed cove, as hirkening so 



* Kcad at thr dedication to him of "Picihiicscjur Trnneikrr," (now calird 
"Kirby-Smith Point"), July 4, ivoX. 



4 52 ^ 



echoes of battle-tumults down the years. 

And then, perchance, the pity of it all 

would seize him: the Cause lost, and his own hand, 

for smiting ready, enforced to idleness; 

the plenty of his Western empire vast 

hoarded for naught, — the wretched want of those 

who followed the great Lee; . . . till overcome, 

though dauntless yet, he stooped perchance to pick 

some little heart' s-easc at his feet, and speak 

of days to come: "a. greater Country ours, 

a nobler People, — for the blood and tears 

shed vainly ! ' ' 

Now, O venerable and brave, 
the rock thou oft didst stand on (Darien 
to th' unfoiled spirit of thee) we consecrate 
in grateful reminiscence. Be thou still 
among us: soldier, father, trusted friend; 
lover of all things fair, — trees, flowers, and birds; 
ay, and God's creatures too, — the very snakes; 
intrepid, and therefore tender; stout and true; 
a man of boisterous laughter and of stern 
command; of war if need be, and of peace 
to whoso peace ensueth. For thee we raise 
the echoes that were wont to answer thee 
in a free shout: Valiant spirit, all hail! 
And may thy name and heart abide with us, 
sons of Sewancc, evermore! All hail! 



4 53 ^ 



ALUMNI MEMORIAL ODE: 
BENJAMIN LAWTON WIGGINS* 

(Vice-Chancellor, 1 893-1909) 

First of us; chosen to lead us and followed with faith, 

we call to thee! — Hearken and heed us, who cheer thee in death. 

No shame, if sorrow hath wrung us and anxious fears; 

for wast thou not hoy once among us four happy years? 

Forest and rock hast thou cherished with filial pride: 

for thee budded and bloomed and perished our blossom-tide; 

glorious for thee our October burned year after year; 

wet winter-woods, wistful and sober, to thee, too, were dear; 

white moonlight on twinkling branches; stars caught in their mesh; 

the far-spreading plains that enfranchise the eye from the flesh! 

From the coves the kine-bells' clanging, thou hast broodingly heard; 

the thrushes' and red-birds' haranguing — thy fancy hath stirred. 

No wonder our heart-beats quicken as we think of thee now; 

our foremost, unfaltering, stricken, death's calm on thy brow! 



Thou foughtest our battles bravely, and wroughtest for all; 
in peril thou smiledst gravely at failure or fall; 
with unfailing fidelity ever our weakness to hide, 
silent in steadfast endeavor when doubted, denied, — 



*Rcad at the gathering of the Alumni Association in the K. <^^ B. Club 
House, Tuciday, June 14th, 1909. 



4 54^ 



to right, to left, thou didst look not, but thy life thou didst give; 
and wonted to serve, thou couldst brook not thy work to outlive. 
For thou hadst thy day's work finished, nor bidding farewell 
wentest forth with power undiminished, so their cheers were thy 

[knell! 

Ha, first of us wert thou chosen as faithfullest found! 
Then how shall thy soul repose in mere hallowed ground? 
In us, yea in us, thine abiding, thy spirit and life: 
still in our councils presiding, allayer of strife; 
alone in great patience sustaining the brunt of the day ; 
thy wisdom, guiding, restraining, with magnanimous sway; 
for wrongs — thy large forgiving, for follies — thy grace; 
yea, in us art Thou still living, and none shall replace. 
So our selfish sorrow we smother for thee who art dear; 
who hail thee yet leader and brother and heartily cheer; 
by thy faithful spirit new-plighted, made strong of thy soul, 
we march, thy brothers, united, unafraid to thy goal! 



4^ 



4 55 ^ 



LULLABY 

Who dove or violet 
hath seen, shall fear no threat; 
nor Mother for Eden pine 
with thee, sweet baby mine. 

In vain would the wind disclose 
a bud of the shy wild rose, 
though the smile of the morning sky 
wide open her golden eye. 

In vain the earthquake's rage 
and wars the blind seas wage; 
for pearl-shell and daisy, still 
laugh at their cruel will. 

In the drop of trembling dew 
doth the sun his glory view; 
and in thee, sweet baby mine, 
arc life and love divine. 



«56i» 



HER REFUSAL 

Oh lover, if thou love my Soul 

deeper than twilight dream, 
how canst thou more than pity dole 

to her — woe's me — I seem? 

If to thine eye my spirit glow 

beyond the glimmer of dawn, 
should not thy heart the bliss foreknow 

of love- — through love forgone? 

Never, oh never m.ay I thee 

love, lover mine; for thou 
to her, I am, dost bend the knee 

to Her I disavows 

Could She I am not, whom I yearn 

with all my being to be, 
meet Thee that shall be — should I turn 

thus solitary from thee? 

If plighted were They twain, and wed 

beyond the death of us, 
then might even we know love — though dead, 

a love not blasphemous. 



^ 57 ^ 



MAIDENHOOD: A VALENTINE TO C. S. G. 
(Dawn on Bald Knob, Virginia) 

Sweet Child, how beautiful 

our world mist-mantled lies! 
A blazing-star I pull, 

to mate thy dancing eyes, 
and for joy my arms enfold 

my amazed happy maid, 
whose innocent eyes behold 

God's day-dawn unafraid. 
Soft steal, from heights of gold, 

mist-flows of rosy ease; 
rose-rivers are softly rolled 

to roseate silent seas. 
Thy dreams, O maidenhood, 

before thee far displayed, 
golden and rose! How good 

God's world unto his maid! 

Look, eastward at thy feet 

gray-blue, meditative, 
the Tarn would bid thee. Sweet, 

even as herself to live. 
Not Uke yon tarn's be thine, 

whose purity serene 



4 5^^ 



winks rippling crystalline, 

or lulls in pearly sheen: 
who, doth she view the sun, 

adoreth quivering, 
and in heavenward orison, 

mounteth on tireless wing; 
yet, doth he fail her gaze, 

her limpid self she spills 
from fall to fall, by ways 

she neither wots nor wills. 
Not such thy spirit: though shy, 

eluding sleight and lure, 
beholding earth and sky, 

through dauntless knowledge — pure! 

How fair the wintry earth, surveyed 

from this dominant height, 
spread to the sky's cloud-girth arrayed 

in her bridal white! 
Bare shrubs, dwarf oaks in the mist, 

their rainbow-glitter have donned, 
emerald and amethyst, 

ruby and diamond. 
*Twixt clump and glistery clump 

snow-stretches crystalline, 
from rock, log, root, and stump 

dart myriad fairy cyan. 



4 59 |p 



In the air flits an eddying hoit 

of various scintillant hue, — 
each mote the merry star-gho8t 

of a drop of elfin dew! 
In wind-screened hollows still, 

crouch scrub-pine, snowy -rufF'd; 
springs spatter, as they trickle and trill, 

brilliants on fern and tuft. 
The solemn hemlocks brood 

the quiet with ermined wings, 
frore to the core, and intrude 

on the glades with blue shadowings; 
and the shine of unshadowed gladei 

dazzles the dizzy sky, 
and a hush of awe pervades, 

hallowing far and nigh. 

Then ho! a Wind to be, 

and out of the Orient leap 
at its golden cloud-verge, free 

over the hills to sweep, 
to hover o*er glitter and glow, 

gladness and innocence, 
in aerial mirth; nor know 

of where or whither or whence, 
ere 1 hap on the summit here 

and blow thy coiled hair loose, 



4 6o ^ 



chuckling for mischievous cheer; 

nor grant at thy prayer a truce, 
but blow, till perforce thou 've caught 

the mood of the wind, and cried: 
*Mad spirit, thou blowest for naught. 

Thou canst win me never to bride. 
For, O Vagabond, I am as thou, 

playfellow to the unseen! 
Ha, I dare and defy thee now!" 

And thou peerest flushed, serene, 
out of the encircling arms 

of him, whose heart beats high 
to shelter from fancied harms. 

Then the wind: — ^'Thou art not as I, 
for I know but companionless glee, 

the lone glory of earth and sky, 
nor wonder at worlds to be, 

nor vex me with whither or why. 
So, winsome playmate mine, 

fare thee well, with health aflush; 
my snowdrop, rose-eglantine, 

honey-suckle! " Then winds-still hush. 
And you shook you free, and gazed 

o'er the far scene wintry-pure 
maiden spirit unamazed, 

unabashed, un wishful, demure. 



«6i> 



My winter fancies beguiled 

our eyes from visual truth. 
Yetj beautiful now, dear Child, 

is this mountain-top uncouth: — 
brier-roses, wee buds wrapped tight; 

blue-berries, red mouth to stain; 
blazing-stars that winking invite, 

yet never to spy thee feign. 
Shrub-oaks hug the ground close 

and 'freeze,' as at 'hide and seek,* 
or afraid some great oak morose 

the ear of a truant may tweak! 
Ha, and sunflowers everywhere 

light the summit with yellow fire 
from broad golden lashes astare 

out of velvety pupils; nor tire, 
searching sky-mysteries 

that bloom and fade and blaze, 
white isles in azure seas 

afloat; for their strong rapt gaze 
yearns whither the souls of the flowers 

perchance go, blown from the earth, 
and whence in pearly showers 

they descend for manifold birth. 

Ah, methinks, my darling Maid, 
through his million sunflower eyes, 



«62^ 



the whole Mountain in son and shade 

scans the billowing, unrayished skies; 
tranquil, craving no boon, 

young for all ancient scars, 
yet wistful of sun and moon, 

of unwinking reticent stars; 
dreaming awake, withdrawn 

in a fervor of worshipping: 
the noon, the sunset, the dawn, 

summer, fall, winter and spring. 
And such, dear Maid, art thou 

(to the pensive mount akin) 
large-eyed, unruffled brow, 

glamour and silence within. 
But the Mount, methinks, like me, 

looks through tKine unwitting eyes 
to behold things veiled from thee, 

beyond thy glad surmise; 
For, with chrism of dawn bedewed, 

and with thee for visitant, 
he tasteth beautitude, 

life may not to thee yet grant, 
ere thou, too have winnoed the woe 

and hoarded the goodly grain, 
and the face of a child shall glow 

with a by-gone glory again. 



«63^ 

L' ENVOI 
I. YourH's Auguries 

Only-beloved, O those golden days: — 

now — yearnings vague, divine disquietude, 
elusive, visionary, many-hued 

hopes, that forevermore the heart essays, 

up dim meandering enchanted ways, 
to overtake; now — palpitant solitude, 
where youth her spirit shy would fain seclude 

in doubt, hushed rapture, tremour and amaze. 

Yet, each foreknew (though fancy -free, heart-whole) 
how friend must pass and sweetest comrade fail, 

imagination fade and passion thwart, 
and th' freedom nowise of our quest avail 

save they conjoin, should man and maid consort 
(dear fellow-farers) to one common goal! 

II. Obsession 

But who, (sweethearts in wayward discontent, 
in hunger mystical and thirst) would dare 
on such all-hallowed pilgrimage to fare, 

and dread not, after, in anguish to repent 

the passionate urgency irreverent 

that wooed her with his need her wealth to share. 



4 ^4 ^ 



dream to forego, adventure to forbear — 
destined, if on her lonely ways she went? 

Yea, (if even for all her womanhood sweet and strong, 
her answer pure to love's most holy wants, 
fortitude, divination, and swift response 
heart=sensitive to heavenly presences) 
some day thou cry not :~*^ Clear, ah me, it is 
my ultimate self can ne'er to Thee belong." 

III. The Gordian Knot 

Ah, truth shall in such consecrated Twain 
unveil her glowing shame and piteous sore 
for loves' sake, so th' inviolate troth they swore 

have naught to fear; and yet, shall they refrain 

from pity that belittleth and disdain; 

rather, with mutual reverence heal, restore — 
creating divine beauty to adore, — 

till th' innocency of Eden both regain. 

Who shall in the petty round his heart assure 
of staid forbearance, homely faithfulness, — 

yet also, at need, irradiant surprise? 
achieve a valiant self-hood, — yet no less 
(forgoing glorious whim, fantastic lure) 
all rebel selves, in secret, sacrifice? 



IV. The Sword Stroke 

What shall the spirit its extreme blisses grant 

as, ever, th' quickening pulse and thrill of growth? 
To reach, expansive, wresting from the loth 

stark elements their nurture ministrant 

for toppling bloom and fruit? Or, calm, to plant 
the mail'd heel archangelic on behemoth 
and spewing leviathan? Or, heavenly- wroth, 

Hke solar photosphere leap, blaze and pant? 

But marsh-fog stole, ere from youth's dream we woke, 
environing us with th* morbid, dismal, void. 

Dull, ineffective, craven paralysis! 
Who would not rather, for bygone hope enjoyed, 
leap into th' ice-fang' d horror of the abyss, — 
than blinded grope, cringe, stifle, whine and choke? 

V. Self Evocation 

Whose deity invoke but Love's, by whom 
to summon from vasty legions uncreate 
even now that Self: — an Arm to reinstate, 

sword-brandishing, my soul risen from the tomb 

disherited, on her throne? Or, the storm-gloom 
riven through, a Star with unquenchable life elate 
singing God's firmanent above man's fate, 

for myriad conquering spirits — infinite room? 



^66 if 



Or, from beetling cloud-refulgent peak of ice 
in th' dazzle of sky, to draw the crystal thread 
by lightning loop and hither- thither rash 
from level to level, (leaving lakes that flash 

sky-lucent), till, behold, the waste lands dead 
brood, green, and bloom— an earthlv Paradise? 



VI. Love's Thaumaturgy 

Then Love, O Love, we hail thee, (even we!) 
who spakest again the fiat else unheard — 
and Light was, ay, and Right; and undeterred 

the feeble stood, nor bent to Baal the knee! 

Who didst, when Spring lavished her all, decree 

flower- wreaths, that Summer and Autumn crown and gird 
their children for far journeying, long deferred, 

to violet skylines over land and sea. 

Who, when the famine fell upon us sore, 

feddest wnth faith from thine unfailing store, 
didst pour royal anointing from thy cruse, 

ay, sweet repose miraculous, and delight; 
and the barren spumy sea of death — sufi^se 
with after-glows that earth and heaven unite! 



4 67 if 

VII. Love's Theurgy 

Yet, Love, thy greater wonders who may laud? 

When th' earth a lurid shell rollM, fire-crevass'd? 

When into the hoar gloaming stretch' d man's past 
his futile aeons of ruin? When, deep-awed, 
th' heavens spread for us their chemic glory abroad 

from infinitude to infinitude, till the Vast 

gulfed into nothingness, and the soul aghast 
sickened beholding th' macrocosmic fraud? 

Ah, then it was his miracle Love wrought: — 

for Thou and I drew nigher, aud nigher; when lo 
of Thee and Me, withdrawn to springs of light, 
there blazed the ALL out of the nethermost naught, 
till They we arc, unto God's fullness glow, — 

and one love, brimming, mount from height to height ! 



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f!'" 



^ 



Niagara Twice Seen 

and Other Verse 



bv 



William Norman Guthrie 




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